I recently reinstalled Windows and specifically opted not to recover any files, yet it seems like some data was still carried over. I'm frustrated because I thought I was getting rid of a virus, but now I'm worried that I may still have issues. What are the best ways to completely wipe my SSD and ensure a fresh start?
5 Answers
You should make a bootable USB drive with the Windows installation media. Just download the Windows ISO from Microsoft's site, and use tools like Ventoy or Rufus to create the bootable drive. When you boot from the USB, remember to delete every partition on the SSD before installing. This will give you a clean slate since Windows will automatically create the necessary recovery and boot partitions.
If your goal is a clean install, the best way is to completely wipe your SSD first. A full format of the SSD during the installation process will help eradicate any lingering malware. So, before installing Windows, ensure you delete all existing partitions.
After the reinstall, keep an eye on any potential malware. If any files are still on the drive at installation time, they could activate during installation. Hence, be thorough in formatting the drives before installing.
When doing the reinstall, make sure you go offline on the first boot if you're concerned about OneDrive syncing back files. Unlink it if you want to start fresh without old files coming back.
Sounds like you might've missed the option that states you consent to losing all your files during the clean install. It's easy to overlook, so just double-check that next time you do a reinstall.
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